Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 22:7
“My son,” said David to Solomon, “it was in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses his son Solomon immediately after summoning him to receive instructions about constructing a temple. The moment occurs right before David explains why God forbade him from building the house himself.
The words — The phrase עִם־ לְבָבִי (im- le.vavi) literally means "with my heart" and appears in the clause הָיָה עִם־ לְבָבִי (haya im- le.vavi), translated as "it was in my heart." This Hebrew idiom denotes an internal resolve or strong desire.
The thread — The theme of seeking a divinely chosen dwelling for God’s Name appears in Deuteronomy 12:5 and Deuteronomy 12:11, and David recalls his own long search in Psalm 132:5. These references establish a pattern where God alone determines the location and authorization for His sanctuary.
Why it lands — The text records David’s unfulfilled desire to build the temple, which shifts the responsibility to Solomon. A reader must recognize that human devotion must submit to divine timing and qualification rather than personal ambition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God:
Cross-references
- Psalms 132:5 until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
- Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
- Deuteronomy 12:11 then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
- 1 Kings 8:16 ‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
- 2 Chronicles 6:7 Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Deuteronomy 12:21 If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His Name is too far from you, then you may slaughter any of the herd or flock He has given you, as I have commanded you, and you may eat it within your gates whenever you want.
- 2 Samuel 7:2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
- 1 Kings 8:29 May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.
- 1 Kings 9:3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.
- 1 Chronicles 17:1 After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”